Sherrard became a starter as a sophomore in 1983, posting 48 receptions (school record) for 709 yards. He also was the first player in school history to have 2 games of more than 135 receiving yards; 136 yards against the University of Washington and 140 yards against Arizona State University. The next year, he had 43 catches, becoming the first player in school history to have two seasons with more than 40 receptions, while also tallying a career-high 729 receiving yards.

Sherrard started what seemed to be a very promising NFL career, becoming a starter in the thirteenth game against the Seattle Seahawks. He played in all 16 games (4 starts), registering 41 receptions for 744 yards, an 18.2-yard average (led the team) and 5 receiving touchdowns (led the team). At the time his totals ranked third for most receptions, third for most receiving yards, and second for most receiving touchdowns by a rookie in franchise history.

In 1987, he came into training camp as the Cowboys best wide receiver, but was lost for the year when he was tripped by a defender during a scrimmage on August 5, shattering two bones (the tibia and fibula) in his right leg.[2] He also missed the 1988 season, when he re-fractured his right leg tibia and also the shin bone, while jogging on a Santa Monica beach as part of his rehab treatment in March.[3]

In 1990, he was off to a solid start, but broke his right fibula in a 20-17 win over the Cleveland Browns during the seventh game and was placed on the injured reserve list on October 29. He finished with 17 receptions for 264 yards and 2 touchdowns. The next season, he played in all 16 games, posting 24 receptions for 296 yards and 2 touchdowns.

In 1992, he appeared in all 16 games (8 starts), tallying 38 catches for 607 yards, including 6 catches for 159 yards against the Buffalo Bills.

On April 7, 1993, he signed as a free agent with the New York Giants. He was off to a great start with 24 receptions for 433 yards and 2 touchdowns through the first 6 games, but lost the rest of the season after suffering a partially dislocated left hip and a fractured hip socket against the Philadelphia Eagles. He also had injury complications when he was diagnosed as having a blood clot on the same hip.[5]

His best professional season came in 1994, when he had career-highs in starts (14), receptions (53), receiving yards (825) and touchdowns (6). The next year, although he missed most of the preseason with a hamstring injury, he played in 13 games (13 starts), catching 44 receptions for 577 yards and 4 touchdowns. He missed the 12th and 13th games with a ruptured blood vessel above his right knee.

On May 5, 1996, he signed as a free agent with the Denver Broncos, where he only played one season as a reserve, before announcing his retirement on August 6, 1997.[6] Sherrard persevered through multiple injuries and doubts about his future, to play 11 seasons in the NFL, recording 257 receptions for 3,931 yards and 22 touchdowns.